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Maratha quotas must stand legal scrutiny: Fadnavis
Mumbai, July 31 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday made it clear that the state government is committed to giving job and academic reservations to the agitating Maratha community but only if it stands legal scrutiny.
“If it’s a matter of only giving reservations, we can promulgate an ordinance today, but it will be dismissed by the courts. We have to complete all the legal formalities before it can be properly resolved,” Fadnavis said.
He pointed out it was the present Bharatiya Janata Party-led government which first initiated the process for Maratha reservations, but it was stayed by the Bombay High Court.
“If anyone gives reservations to the Maratha community, it will be our government. We are honestly committed to this,” he declared, while speaking at a book release function here.
His comments came a day after the clamour by its ally Shiv Sena and various opposition parties to immediately declare the Maratha reservations without waiting for the report of the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission (MSBCC) in this regard.
An Opposition leader said on Monday the MSBCC has indicated that its survey report on the economic conditions of the Maratha community would be ready only within three months.
Fadnavis said the Maratha reservations can only be given without affecting the existing quotas for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes so that it is sustainable and passes the legal test.
The Chief Minister said it would be unwise to get carried away by emotions and announce any quotas that would fail to clear the legal evaluation, and would not survive even a day.
“The MSBCC has been requested to submit its report on priority and we have also planned to convene a Special Session of the Legislature to work out a solution. The Maratha community must maintain peace and restraint,” Fadnavis urged.
His comments came even as various Maratha groups have threatened to launch a state-wide ‘jail-bharo’ agitation on Wednesday (August 1) including in Mumbai, followed by massive processions all over Maharashtra on August 9, the August Kranti Day, to press for quotas.
Since the past nearly 10 days, the state, including Mumbai, has been rocked by violent agitations with incidents of arson, road and rail blockades, attacks on police with retaliatory action, spearheaded by Maratha groups seeking reservations.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.